Tradies volunteer to help people living with dementia

Local tradespeople have teamed up with Silver Chain to deliver people living with dementia a renovated facility to enhance their skills and sensory environment and boost their social interactions at the Rockingham respite branch.

Renovations at the Silver Chain operated Rockingham social centre have turned it into a dementia-friendly environment. 

East coast based on-demand tradie service Hipages teamed up with non-for-profit Silver Chain to construct a back garden cafe at the Ray Street property, all in secret over the last three weeks.

Silver Chain Social Centre Coordinator Mandy Holmshaw said the efforts of local tradesmen were unbelievable.

"We were very lucky to have some fantastic guys on board, they have been absolutely outstanding and nothing was too much trouble," she said.

"We are just overwhelmed with the work that they did."

Nine men volunteered their time to help construct a fully functioning cafe in the back garden of the Rockingham Social Centre & Respite Cottage, a project Mandy said was the first of its kind for Western Australia.

 "I haven't heard of anything else like this in WA."

The project has created an able environment for Silver Chain clients to work and develop their skills in a safe and comfortable space. 

"Our aim is to use this as a working facility for clients so that we can support them to learn skills, maintain skills and keep their cognition growing," Mandy said. 

"We want to keep them using their skills so they can feel valued."

Up to 30 people can use the space at any time, with the project being unveiled in a ceremony today. 

Silver Chain prides itself on working with clients in an individual focused approach, giving each client confidence to live out their lives as normal. 

Mandy said the renovated backyard will contribute to the cause and help clients feel confident. 

"They'll be able to go out with their families in the community knowing that they've kept their social skills and that their communication is as sharp as can be," she said.  

"It's about getting to know our clients and everything they want to achieve out of life so that we can keep them in their own homes for as long as possible."

Silver Chain delivers community health and aged care services across Australia, and runs social centres which offer a comfortable, home-like setting where people living with dementia can socialise, relax and have fun.

Over 33,000 West Australians live with dementia, it's the second leading cause of death around the nation. 

The new space will be unveiled in a ceremony today, honouring Hipages and the tradespeople who volunteered time to help create the project.